New Kids on the Block: MN Freshmen Dominating the Courts- VOL 1

Typically, high school varsity rosters are filled with juniors and seniors. They are more experienced and coaches have been working with them longer. Sometimes, you will see a sprinkling of sophomores making the cut and every once in a while, you will see a freshman on the roster. In those rarest occasions, you will find freshmen that not only make the roster, but are also in the starting rotation and making a huge impact for the team. Common or not, these freshmen have not only found their way on the roster, but also the court, racking up the stats and helping their teams secure big wins.   Remember to follow me on Instagram @Prepdigamy and Facebook @PrepDig Amy for up to date event coverage, stories, and more.    After watching Frie in the club season last winter and spring, it is not surprising to me that she made the varsity roster. She is quick, makes smart shots, and has a lethal swing that allows her to terminate from the pins. Frie's stellar freshman year includes her having one of the top hitting percentages in the state for freshman, hitting at .246 and averaging 4/kills per set. This shows how hard the young pin has worked in the off season that she is able to compete with the top talent in the state at such a young age.      Lewison is a freshman libero that plays for the small school of Leroy-Ostrander, which has only about 250 students.  With 159 digs on the season so far and averaging 3.9 digs/set, Lewison comes up big for the Cardinals time after time. She is quick footed, reads the ball well, and makes efficient movements in the back court routinely keeping balls in play.     Lyle Pacelli outside hitter, Jacey Bendar is only a freshman and is having quite the year. With 125 kills and 37 aces, Bednar is hitting .213 on the season and averaging 3 kills/set. Bednar is not new to top level volleyball. In fact, Bednar is a veteran on the varsity team as she has been in the starting rotation since 7th grade. She is quick, has a high point of contact, and a super fast arm swing that makes her terminal on nearly every play.      Freshman setter [player_tooltip player_id='886629' first='Clara' last='Theobald'] has big shoes to fill as she runs the court for 3AAA ranked Stewartville. The tigers made it to state last year and are definitely looking to repeat.  Theobald has done an excellent job stepping in the starting setter role and getting her attackers involved. She has so far racked up 180 assists in this 6-2 offense, average 5/assists per set.     Century Freshman libero has been a steady force in the back court for the panthers. To date she boasts a stat line of: 157 digs, 5.1/digs per set, 17 aces, 47 assists, and 12.3/receptions per match. While Greene is solid at digging and out of system setting, what I find super impressive about her is her quick reactions on covering the block. She recycles very well, giving her team numerous second chance options.

Typically, high school varsity rosters are filled with juniors and seniors. They are more experienced and coaches have been working with them longer. Sometimes, you will see a sprinkling of sophomores making the cut and every once in a while, you will see a freshman on the roster. In those rarest occasions, you will find freshmen that not only make the roster, but are also in the starting rotation and making a huge impact for the team. Common or not, these freshmen have not only found their way on the roster, but also the court, racking up the stats and helping their teams secure big wins.